Frog of Arcadia

by Blake Bobechko, Matlock Bobechko (Illustrator)

Thomas is an aquarium toad of unknown parentage. He doesn’t know his past and the prospects for his future are dim. While he’s read extensively about faraway lands, Thomas has never ventured beyond the glass walls of home. But when happenstance leaves a door open into a brave new world, Thomas hopes he’ll finally discover where he belongs.

As the story unfolds, this humble but educated toad finds himself in the middle of a civil feud between rival frog clans and a lost kingdom yet to be restored. Thomas wrestles with the tension of being a toad of two worlds, and learns that pride can overtake anyone, and that even victory can defeat the victor.

Frog of Arcadia is an enchanting moral epic filled with cowardice and chivalry, pride and majesty, boorishness and heroism. But a divine order holds it all together and, at last, we all reap what we sow.

108 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2021

About the author

Blake Bobechko is the author of the classical-style animal fiction Frog of Arcadia, a fully-illustrated novel told in the tradition of The Wind in The Willows, Redwall, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Blake lives in Orangeville, Ontario, with his wife and children. He enjoys camping and fishing and is actively involved in children's ministry at his local church.

Reviews

[James Shrimpton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming tale, whimsically told but with real heart to it. I love the faux-Victorian voice, the characters are memorable and distinct, and children will love it.

I'm going to get a hardcopy soon.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frog of Arcadia is the story of an educated toad named Thomas with an unlikely opportunity to leave his terrarium home to set off to explore the world. He finds himself in the kingdom of Arcadia across the highway and ends up at the centre of an epic adventure to save it from weasels.

Bobechko manages to take realities of amphibian living and weave a fantasy story through.

This short chapter book has a variety of enjoyable characters with delightful illustrations, lively banter, fast pacing, delicious use of language and a wonderful moral. With a few surprising twists readers will have a hard time putting down this adventure that is sure to please young and old alike.

I’m looking forward to this authors next work!

[Viola Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This little book reads like a classic, like an extended fable with quirky animal characters and unexpected events and adventures along the way.

I am out of practice in my classic reading, so I had to read slower than normal for the sake of understanding what was happening. I appreciate the extra effort it took to make it read like that and I hope to use this for my kids as a sort of "intro to classics" if they are ready to take the dive before school requires it of them.

See this review on Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/13...

[Miranda Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You know the saying, there is always greener grass elsewhere. Right now, it is here. But don’t be deceived by thick grass. It can hide a lot.”

What a fun read this was! It takes us on the journey to witness the rise and fall of our amphibious protagonist, Thomas. Accompanied by a band of swamp creatures, Thomas learns what it means to become a hero—and how pride can topple even those of the best character. This was a charming story, perfect choice for a family read aloud. Perfect for fans of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Wind in the Willows alike!

[Liv C.]

I enjoyed this book very much! It was a quick read with fabulous critter characters that were so fun to follow on their epic journey. If you like Redwall, the Mistmantle Chronicles, and The Green Embers series, you will enjoy this read. It is a fun silent read, and the cadence and style of the writing make it the perfect book to read aloud to little ones as well.

[Andy Flattery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little gem of a book by Blake Bobechko. Moral and whimsical. A swashbuckling frog here who feels like he could have been written decades ago. Prose is beautiful and evocative, clearly in the tradition of Frog and Toad. What sets the book apart are the old-school hand-drawn illustrations (presumably done by the author's son?). There is something refreshing in 2025 about art that looks like it was lovingly sketched by hand.

All in all, wholesome adventure with moral substance, and writing that doesn't talk down to young readers.